Page 157 of Waiting to Lose
“Yeah, I guess I am. Without him, maybe you wouldn’t have realized how much you cared for me, and I wouldn’t have known how strong I was or even realized how much you loved me.”
Jake smirked.
“I think we meet people for a reason, even if it’s just briefly on the street. I really believe all of our lives are intertwined, and I’m so grateful that fate weaved our lives together.”
Jake moved forward and pushed a strand of Madi’s hair behind her ear. “You’re probably right. I never thought of it that way, but yeah, life has a way of putting things into perspective. For the record, I love that life brought me to you.”
Madi smiled as her eyes gazed into his. “Everything is just as it should be.”
He tried his best to keep her eyes preoccupied as they drove to the location.
She adjusted the strap on her heel as she laughed at his ridiculous imitations of Rob. She didn’t seem to notice when they pulled into the arena. When the limo stopped, her eyes popped up. “Why are we here?” she asked.
He clenched his teeth. “Don’t be too angry with me. Ang said she had some paperwork I needed to fill out and she left it at the front desk for me.”
Madi grimaced and then smiled. “How could I be mad tonight?” She leaned back into her seat to get comfortable as Jake opened the door.
“Want to come in for a second? For old times’ sake?”
Madi smiled and shifted to the door. “For old times’ sake. Just don’t ask me to bring some papers down to the stage for you. I have a feeling these shoes will be off before the clock strikes twelve.”
Jake smiled as he held his hand out for her. His heart was pounding so hard he was afraid she might hear it.
Felix held the door to the arena where Jake had practiced for his tour back in May, when he had first met Madi. Jake remembered all their first flirtatious moments, and when he sang to her on stage. He was taken with her from the first moment they met.
The arena was pitch black. They walked into the lobby in darkness.
“Are you sure anyone’s even here? I can’t imagine why the doors would be unlocked,” Madi questioned.
Jake intertwined their fingers together as he led her to the main doors. “Maybe we should just step inside.”
Jake opened the door. Madi peeked her head in before standing in the darkness once again. Just as she turned to say something, the arena lit up in a blast of light. On the stage stood everyone she loved: her mom and dad; Kendra, Collin and Michael; and even Grandma Dee. Madi’s eyes darted from one person to the next. Ang and Dave were there, as well as Trey and Annie; Jake’s mother, Liz; his father, Mike; and his sister, Gina; all the members of Jake’s band, their families and Rob. Everyone was dressed to the max. A net of silver and white balloons hung from the ceiling. There was a full bar set up on the left as well as a band off to the side of the stage. The room glistened with balloons and pink flowers. Madi gasped as she turned to Jake in confusion. He couldn’t contain the smile on his face. It had been hard for him to keep this night a secret. He’d been planning it in his mind for months.
“What’s going on?” she asked as she bounced with excitement.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I thought we’d ring in the New Year with a few close friends and family members. I guess you were right. All of our lives are linked.”
“What did you do?” she shrilled as she ran toward the stage, lifting her dress from the floor.
Kendra bounded down the stairs and was the first to reach her. “Jake sure knows how to throw a party!”
“You knew and you didn’t tell me?” Madi asked Kendra as she hugged Ang and Dave.
“I was under strict orders to, and I quote, ‘keep my big mouth shut,’ as Rob said.”
Madi’s mom and dad came up to her next. “Surprised? Jake asked us back at Thanksgiving if we’d all come out to L.A. He’s been planning this forever,” Madi’s mom said.
Jake stood behind her and listened as he took his turn shaking hands and hugging friends and family. The band began to play “Brokenhearted” by Karmin.
“I… I don’t understand,” Madi said as she turned to him.
“I wanted to do something special for you,” he shrugged with a smirk.
“You always do special things for me, but this—” Madi turned to point and the crowd of their friends “—this is beyond special.”
Jake leaned forward and kissed her forehead lovingly. “You deserve everything. You did save my life more than once.”
Madi lifted her lips and pressed them against his mouth. Jake sighed, knowing her surprises had just begun.
